Have I Mastered the Classroom Enough to Move Into Leadership?

Aisha Moore-Webb

If you ask most classroom educators many will tell you that they are always learning. They will say they have never felt like they have “arrived.” So, as I prepare to step into administration, I have found myself wondering if I have mastered my classroom, at least enough to have high expectations from other educator.

Well, I have reached certain milestones as a teacher. I am proud of my test scores. I believe I have found a way to instruct students in ways that help them retain information. I have even practiced the art of calling parents for a plethora of reasons, like great grades, warning, or reminders. I feel pretty confident. However, if I am honest I still have somethings to work on. For example, I need to practice better organizational skills and I could get papers back to students on time. I even have days when I am just tired and as a result my lessons can be rather lackluster.

So, does all of that mean I am not ready to be an administrator? I’d like to think that I have the most important aspects of being a teacher down packed and therefore I am ready to move into a supervisory role. However, would I be a hypocrite for checking a teacher about not grading on time or his/her lack of organization? I am honestly not sure. I think this question is subjective. There are some that will suggest I be perfect before I move to the next. Then there are those who say you should reach specific milestones first.

I believe a person doesn’t need to move on until they have a clear working of the classroom, pedagogy, and what it takes to move students. This person should be able to show proof that they can move students and that they can help others do the same. If I use this criteria, I think I am ready. However, even though I feel this way I have to walk into the role being humble enough to realize I wasn’t and I still nowhere near perfect, yet confident enough to know I can help another person reach children.